New Data on Prevelance of Cerebral Palsy

March 10, 2008

CDC
released a new study in the March 2008 issue of Pediatrics which shows the average prevalence
of cerebral palsy (CP) as 3.6 per 1,000 children or about 1 in 278 children.
This first report of the prevalence and characteristics of CP, the most common
cause of motor disability in childhood, are from Georgia,
Alabama and Wisconsin.

The study,
"Prevalence of Cerebral Palsy in 8-year-old Children in Three Areas of the
United States in 2002: A
Multisite Collaboration," found the prevalence to be remarkably similar
across all three sites, ranging from 3.3 in Wisconsin
to 3.8 in Georgia.
All sites reported the highest prevalence among boys, African-Americans and
those living in low- and middle-income neighborhoods. Prevalence rates were
lowest among Hispanic children.

As many of
you know, cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person's ability
to move and keep their balance and posture as a result of an injury to parts of
the brain, or as a result of a problem with development. CDC has developed a
feature article about cerebral palsy that we encourage you to share with
your partners, colleagues, and friends.